Chapter 11 XI
I was going insane. That was the only logical explanation my brain could come up with for what was happening to me right now.
I can't believe this! Why the fuck can't I get Alessandro Ricci out of my head? He sat in my thoughts like he was responsible for the creation of my mind. No matter how much I tried to push him out, he just kept slipping back in like a parasite.
I tossed and turned in my bed all night, aching for some kind of relief from this madness that Alessandro had put me through.
I could still feel his breath on my ears when he leaned in earlier. I remembered how his closeness sent tingles all over my skin. I remembered how I tried to ignore the feeling of arousal settling in the depth of my soul when he kept looking at me like I was an object at the mercy of a microscope.
By God!
He was like poisonous venom traveling all over my body. That night I saw him fucking a guy would not leave my mind. It drove me insane that I felt this way about that infuriating bastard.
His casual confidence drew me in. Although it cost us an important client, I loved the way he doesn't care about offending anyone. He doesn't care what anyone thinks of him, and that's admirable.
Everything about Alessandro Ricci is admirable. From the way he dresses, to those beautiful tattoos, to that effortless confidence, to that stupid smirk on his face, to that—
I groaned and sat up on my bed in annoyance. I have never felt this way before. I have never been this infatuated with anyone, much less a guy. This is so unlike me.
I looked down at the middle of my legs underneath the covers and sighed when I saw a bulge in my night shorts.
I sighed as I climbed out of bed. I needed a very cold shower.
This was slowly becoming a regular thing.
I was trying to concentrate at the office, but half my mind was wondering when Alessandro was going to get here, even though I refused to admit it.
My ears were alert, waiting for the sound of the door opening because I damn well knew that Alessandro was not going to knock before coming in.
And I was right. The door burst open, and Alessandro strolled right in like he owned the place.
My breath stilled at the sight of him. Today, he was once again dressed casually. Boys' jean shorts that showed off his nice legs and a grey button-up with the top three buttons undone, leaving a hard portion of his chest on display.
I gulped and licked my dry lips, holding back every unholy thing my mind was currently fantasizing about.
When I looked up into his stupid green eyes, he was already watching me with a knowing smirk. I blushed and looked away from him.
"Good morning, Mr Lick Butt," he greeted cheerfully as he strolled forward and plopped onto my seat without consent.
I raised an unimpressed brow at him. "First of all, do not call me that, Mr Ricci." He scowled at the name and I smirked. Two can play this game. "And secondly, I told you to dress more professionally, but it seems your ears were not functioning properly yesterday."
He smirked, watching me in amusement. "I could say the same for you, Mr Brooks. I do remember asking you not to ever call me that."
I shrugged without care. "You started it when you called me lick butt. I was just returning the favour."
"But you are grandfather's lick butt, aren't you?"
"And you are your grandfather's grandson, so that also makes you Mr Ricci!" I replied.
He clicked his tongue and shrugged. "That's fair enough. I will stop calling you lick butt on one condition."
I raised a surprised brow, wondering what his condition might be. "And what is this condition?"
His lips tugged further up in an infuriating smirk, and I knew for sure that this bastard was obviously planning to say something mischievous.
"Call me Daddy."
I almost choked on my own spittle as my face became red with embarrassment. This was the second time he had asked me to call him that.
I let out a shaky sigh, masking it as an annoyed one, then I glared at Alessandro. "Don't play around, Alessandro. We are here for business."
He grinned, probably happy that he made me flustered, angry, and turned on all at once. Even though he doesn't know he did the last part. He'll never know, of course, because I'll make sure nothing is ever going to happen between me and him.
"So what are we doing today, boss?" he mocked, and I decided to ignore him.
"Well, last time taught me a lesson, and I've decided that I won't be taking you to meetings anymore. For today, I'll just show you around the company, each department, and how they operate."
He grimaced. "Sounds like shit." I raised a brow at him and he cleared his throat nervously. "I meant… sounds like fun."
"Great! Let's get to it as soon as we can." I stood up to leave the office and he did the same.
"Has anyone told you you're scarily hot when you're mad?" he teased as we both exited my office.
I didn't dare look at him in fear that he'll see me blush. "No, because I never get mad. You just bring out the worst in me."
He laughed. "Doesn't that just mean we are made for each other? You hate me and I like you. Opposites attract, you know."
My steps faltered as I registered his words. He… likes me?
That can't be possible. Alessandro Ricci is obviously just messing with me. He's trying to get to my head, and I have to remind him that I'm his sister's fiancé.
"You pronounced the name wrong. Alessandra and I are made for each other." I started to walk again, ignoring how my heart squeezed painfully at that lie.
"Tell me the truth, you don't love my sister, do you?"
"You have asked me that a million times," I almost snapped.
"And you have lied to my face a million times. It's amazing. You really are just as cunning and deceitful as grandfather."
I stopped again and wheeled around to face him. We were the only ones in the hallway and Alessandro was glaring right at me. The playfulness around him was no longer there. He looked angry.
"I love your sister, Alessandro."
In two steps, he was right in front of me, pushing me to the wall and caging me with his large arms as he glared down at me. This reminded me of yesterday, only this time Alessandro was the angry one.
And God help me, he looked so fucking hot when he's angry.
My heart echoed between us. Alessandro looked down at me like I was worthless in his eyes. It made my chest ache.
"You're a coward! You got the guts to lie straight to my face about your feelings for her," he whispered harshly. "But I won't let you drag my sister into your stupid games."
In a flash, his hand was on my neck and his fingers choking me tightly. I twisted against his hold, struggling to breathe and at the same time trying to get his hand off me, but he was twice my size.
"If you end up hurting my sister," he growled into my ear, "I'll fucking kill you!"
He released my neck and walked away while I tried desperately to catch my breath. I stared after his retreating back in shock.
I know he hates me, but did he really have to go so far and try to kill me?
But deep down, I know that what I felt when he choked me was not fear.
It was something else.
Something I'd rather not think about.